Obituary for
Dennis William Kelly Sr. August 5, 1927 - June 8, 2009
(Age 81)
Dennis was born in Spokane, WA. on August 5, 1927 and spent all of his childhood there. He attended Gonzaga Prep, Gonzaga University and graduated from the University of Washington Dental School in 1954. On June 21, 1952 he married Lorraine Klinner and they would go on to spend 57 years together.
After dental school, Dennis and Lorraine moved back to Spokane where he opened a dental practice that spanned 28 years. It was during this time that his interest in volunteer work began, providing free dental service during his time off to the children at the Morning Star Boy's Ranch and The Good Shepherd Home for Girls. Dennis retired from private practice in 1984 and began nineteen years of continuous volunteer dental work. In this capacity Dennis and Lorraine spent two years with the Papago Indians in Sells, Arizona and then a year on the Acomita-Cannoncita-Laguna Reservation in Acomita, NM.
In 1987 he moved to Whidbey Island. Over the next sixteen years Dennis served as a Rotary International volunteer dentist in Guatemala, Honduras, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, Kenya and Thailand. In Washington, Dennis did part-time volunteer dentistry at the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Marysville. He was a volunteer at the University of Washington Dental School where for two years he was voted the "Best Liked Teacher."
In 2005, Dennis was voted the Washington State Dental Association Citizen of the Year. He was the past president of the Spokane District Dental Society and a member of the Spokane Lions Club. Locally, Dennis was a member of the Rotary Club of South Whidbey Island, The Fishin' Club and Beachwatchers of Island County.
Dennis' interests included snow skiing, fishing and traveling but his life's passion was his family.
Dennis is survived by his wife Lorraine, his four children; daughter Kathy Baker (Jeff), son Dennis Kelly (Debbie), daughter Susan Kelly, and daughter Keelan McNamee (Gregg); eight grandchildren; Kiersten Ellis (Troy), Jordan Baker (Lisa), Carlin and Keara Sweitzer, Dennis Kelly III, and Sean, Clay and Bret McNamee; great grandsons Jacob and Tyler Ellis and Jerren Baker.
A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, June 12, 2009.
The family suggests that donations, if desired, be made to the Bayview Senior Center at 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260. Or the Spokane District Dental Foundation at 3606 South Regal, Spokane, Washington 99223
After dental school, Dennis and Lorraine moved back to Spokane where he opened a dental practice that spanned 28 years. It was during this time that his interest in volunteer work began, providing free dental service during his time off to the children at the Morning Star Boy's Ranch and The Good Shepherd Home for Girls. Dennis retired from private practice in 1984 and began nineteen years of continuous volunteer dental work. In this capacity Dennis and Lorraine spent two years with the Papago Indians in Sells, Arizona and then a year on the Acomita-Cannoncita-Laguna Reservation in Acomita, NM.
In 1987 he moved to Whidbey Island. Over the next sixteen years Dennis served as a Rotary International volunteer dentist in Guatemala, Honduras, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, Kenya and Thailand. In Washington, Dennis did part-time volunteer dentistry at the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Marysville. He was a volunteer at the University of Washington Dental School where for two years he was voted the "Best Liked Teacher."
In 2005, Dennis was voted the Washington State Dental Association Citizen of the Year. He was the past president of the Spokane District Dental Society and a member of the Spokane Lions Club. Locally, Dennis was a member of the Rotary Club of South Whidbey Island, The Fishin' Club and Beachwatchers of Island County.
Dennis' interests included snow skiing, fishing and traveling but his life's passion was his family.
Dennis is survived by his wife Lorraine, his four children; daughter Kathy Baker (Jeff), son Dennis Kelly (Debbie), daughter Susan Kelly, and daughter Keelan McNamee (Gregg); eight grandchildren; Kiersten Ellis (Troy), Jordan Baker (Lisa), Carlin and Keara Sweitzer, Dennis Kelly III, and Sean, Clay and Bret McNamee; great grandsons Jacob and Tyler Ellis and Jerren Baker.
A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, June 12, 2009.
The family suggests that donations, if desired, be made to the Bayview Senior Center at 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260. Or the Spokane District Dental Foundation at 3606 South Regal, Spokane, Washington 99223